Some Needed Help for Flunkies of America

Why is this office manager having a fit?

Because you, the once-office flunkie stood up to him and legally got yourself free of that awful job he assigned to you which was cleaning the urinals in the men's restrooms once a day.

Just what is a "Flunkie?"

Glad you asked me that question. I know all about "flunkies," and being a "flunkie." The true definitioi of a "flunkie," is a man or woman who the boss always goes to when a dreadful job in the work place is to be done. Mostly dreadful tasks such as cleaning the men's restroom commodes with limited materials. Or sweeping the sidewalk in front of your office building which happens to be in the middle of Fifth Avenue, New York. "Wy' Ken, that sweeping shows you are proud enough to keep your sidewalk clean," you chime in. Yes, you are right. Kinda. Do you see anyone else sweeping in front of their office buidings? No. That's why you are a "flunkie."

"Flunkies" are not known to talk back to management. They do on about their dreaded-tasks without as much as a whisper. "Flunkies" are not really recognized as part of the office staff, but an outsider. A male or female "flunkie" is never in the company photo at Christmas. Maybe they are, but seated in a chair BEHIND the regular staff so people cannot see them. And "flunkies," while you think are run-over, and you are right in that thinking, do get invites to the Annual Fourth of July Picnic where they serve as the people who get hit with pies in the face for entertainment. Or get rotten potatoes thrown at them in the "Spuds Hurling Contest." Things like that. The bosses think that "using" "flunkies" for degrading positions as these will keep them thinking they are a part of the employee force and appreciated.

Then by in God's holy name, the title, "flunkie"? Tell me that Mr. Business Owner. The root word in "flunkie" is FLUNK. Which means an uglier term for "failure." Now have I got your attention? Sadly, there are still employees in our workplaces in the United States who think that being the office "flunkie" is a title of honor. Oh, if they could hear what the bosses say behind their backs. "Hey, Tom. The urinals in the executive wash rooms need a good scouring." "Thanks, Ted. Let's call on "Billy," the office "flunkie." He knows how to clean the dirtiest urinal." Then both "Tom" and "Ted" fall over their desks laughing like wild donkeys.

The saddest part is when "Tom" and "Ted" call in this "Billy," who has been a faithful, devoted employee for over 22 years, and is only a "flunkie," due to his good nature and lack of backbone. "Hey, Billy. Got an important job for you," "Tom" says with a serious face. "Yeah, Billy. This job is just made for someone with your expertise," adds "Ted," the equally-hated assistant to "Tom." "Ohhh, boy," "Billy" says almost jumping up and down. "What is it, Mr. Ted. Mr. Tom?" "Well, Billy, we feel it's time for you to be promoted. So here, take this box of good-smelling deodorant "cakes" and put them in the urinals in the executive wash room after you give those doggone urinals a good scouring," "Ted" explains. "Uhhh, Mr. Ted. Mr. Tom, you want to promote me to Washroom Manager, but clean urinals in this, my only suit?" "Ted" and "Tom" laugh (at) "Billy" for asking such a dumb question. Then reply, "No, Billy. Take this pair of pink coveralls and leave your suit at your desk." "Billy" smiles and goes on to clean the urinals as happy as a lark.

"Flunkie" and boss action photos

Frustrating good employees calling them "flunkies," is just one way overbearing bosses degrade good employees.

"Hey, "flunkie," go get me some lunch across town and pay for it yourself," demands this boss from hades.

Watch out, bosses. "Flunkies" talk to each other when you are not looking. And one day, they will unite and fight back.

"Sorry, Ms. Witchley. I will stay over for two weeks until I manually scratch the tile floor clean with my toothbrush," says this scared "flunkie" being choked by an evil boss.

"No more doing errands for Ms. Battle Axe," says these two pretty female "flunkies" who have "seen the light" and not about to bow to any boss' stupid assignments anymore.

"Listen, old man. You get those trash cans emptied or go home," says the angry boss at left to this elderly employee with a perfect attendance record, but is only used as a "flunkie."

If you are a "flunkie," read the following

it's time for you, the "flunkies," to step-up to the plate. Man and woman-up. Get a backbone. And show your overbearing bosses just how much you hate their menial jobs and low pay.

I am not suggesting by any means that you display a violent rage or angry outburst. Nor do I want you to use a weapon of any sort to get your point across. Just follow the easy-to-do tips below and the next time your boss grins (like a mule eating-up the cornfield) at you with a job that even the janitor won't do, ask you to do something you know is beneath your pride . . .

Simply square your shoulders, stay firm, and say one or two of the following items.

Okay. Let's to it this way. Your boss, a "mister Shin Kicker," lumbers toward your desk grinning that devious grin he always grins and says to you . . .

"Bobby," ol' chum, gonna need you to leave that work piled-up on your desk and go over to my best friend, "Johnny," who manages the carwash across the street, and fill-in for this "Julio," his prize employee who called in sick today. Got it?"

And "Mr. Shin Kicker," thinking that he has snookered you again, starts to walk away, but this time you stop him in his tracks and reply . . .

Can't do it, boss. I converted to Spanish Catholisism last night and my faith doesn't uphold taking another man's job away from him.

No, sir. I cannot do that for you because I found out last week that I have a severe case of "Boneicipilitis," in my legs and cannot walk more than 50 yards.

Sorry, boss. My old war wound is acting up. Care to see the scar on my upper buttocks where a Viet Cong grenade nearly cost me my butt.

Mr. Manager, I apologize for you not knowing that I am a member of a minority and just got off the phone with Rev. Jesse Jackson who asked me if my boss made me do illegal jobs. I said no.

Boss, I'd love to fill-in for Julio, but I do not want any trouble with his gang.

Hey, I saw Julio in the liquor section of the grocery store last night. He said he was an undercover Federal Labor Department investigator looking for area bosses who "trade-out" employees for no pay.

Okay, I will do that for you boss, but let me use my trash can first. (YOU VOMIT SO HARD THAT THE WINDOWS SHAKE). Then add, "must be that deadly European Virus going around."

My only sister just called and needs me to help her find "Cookies," her one and only cat. She is a single girl living all alone.

What if the I.R.S. sees me working in Julio's place? I might have to tell them the truth that you do this to me all of the time.

Get "Charlie" to do it for you. He's the one always oogling your wife.

I gotta take this call. (ACT LIKE YOU ARE TALKING ON YOUR CELL PHONE) and suddenly burst out to running, "Boss, I can't help it. My doctor just called and he has my test results for me to look at.

Mr. Shin Kicker, am I to understand that you use mentally-challenged employees LIKE ME to do these jobs others won't do?

Mr. Bilko, the CEO, told me at dinner at his house last night that I didn't have to do jobs that were not in my job description. Call him if you like.

Sorry, boss, but this "condition," I have is getting worse.

AND PROBABLY "THE BEST" LINE FOR YOU TO USE IS THIS ONE:

"Sure, boss. I will be glad to tell people at the carwash that you and I are lovers."

Congratulation's. You are no longer a "flunkie," but a fine American worker. Don't you feel as if you have been reborn at just reading these 16 tips that freed you from that burdensome role as a "flunkie"?

You know. All of this typing has made me hungry. How about popping-out and bring me a bucket of fried chicken?

What do you mean "your church condemns eating fried poultry?"﻿

Mr. or Ms. Flunkie, is this you?

after you finish doing jobs in your workplace that other employees won't do? Then stand up to your boss and use the tips in this story. I promise that you will gain the boss' respect.

Comments

No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.

sending

AUTHOR

Kenneth Avery

6 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Dear Amy, my new Friend,

For 23 years, I was a flunkie. The business I worked for, was family-owned. Only the owner's family got the big raises, promotions while I, who had invested, well, wasted 70-hour SALARIED weeks to do good work to live out the American Dream that I once believed. Not so. I killed myself only to see others who didnt care get ahead. I could do every job in the office. And when someone was out sick with a hangover, they called on me. Did they pay me utility pay? NO. And get this. THIS COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE ANY MEMBER OF ANY MINORITY working for them. NOT Chinese, Hispanic, African American or anyone but white people. Do you think this is right???

I dont.

But one day, a time of reckoning will come. And people like you had to hurt you and those who abused me, will have all of his to answer for. I promise.

Kenneth.

Amy Becherer

6 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

It's the "flunkie" mentality that allows companies to thrive. Kept as low man on the totem pole and fear of losing that, flunkies submit to outrageous demands at abysmal salaries. Sweat shops are kept secret through fear and intimidation. Today, hiring on is with your signature on a contract that protects the company. Even when you are let go, you must sign paperwork that buys your silence or suffer the repercussions at the hands of company lawyers. In one instance, I saw that even the union rep wasn't able to save a long-time electrician's job.

Great article, Ken, on a timely, important topic that might seem funny, unless you're the flunkie! It is real and it remains a problem even today...maybe especially in today's economy.

AUTHOR

Kenneth Avery

6 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Dear Catgypsy :) Thank you so very much for the SWEET comment on this and all of my hubs.

You always cheer me up with your words.

Love ya,

Kenneth :)

AUTHOR

Kenneth Avery

6 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Dear Amy,

Take this from me, "I am very sorr that you were treated like a second-class person from this obvious "Ol' Boy" company. You didnt deserve this. NO woman deserves this treatment. Why didnt you file suit? Thats what I would have told you to do. Companies like you talked about shouldnt be allowed to get away with that junk.

Im for YOU!

Kenneth

AUTHOR

Kenneth Avery

6 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Hi, cclitgirl,

Thank you for the nice comments. I see a sad tone to all of these comments so far. Women in many companies are treated like scum. And I am hurting for that reason. I know. "but you are a man," you say. But listen. I have worked in the public with women who even in the rural section of our county are used as slaves and treated like mules. Women are IMPORTANT!!!! And VALUABLE!!!!

Id better stop before I type something that jerks who manage companies, (MEN) will regret.

Kennetj

AUTHOR

Kenneth Avery

6 years agofrom Hamilton, Alabama

Dear writer20 . . .thanks for the honest comment and if I owned a company you would NOT be cleaning restrooms. A General Manager or Vice president of operations does not have time for that. Okay?

That's the heartfelt truth. So if I get rich and open a publishing company, YOU will be the FIRST I recruit. Deal?

Your friend,

Kenneth

catgypsy

6 years agofrom the South

Another great hub Kenneth! And I love your list of replies...hilarious!

Amy Becherer

6 years agofrom St. Louis, MO

Your article made me think about my last job as a receptionist/secretary for an electrical contractor, which always left me subtly feeling less than zero. I recall a meeting with the boss about the problem I had getting co-workers to pitch in so I could take restroom breaks. He laughed and said he was going to enforce mandatory catherization for the receptionist. And, then there was the time I interviewed for the project manager assistant opening at the company. I was interviewed twice for a position that the boss finally told me he'd already hired someone for. I guess he figured I was too stupid to feel duped by his placating managerial style. The final blow was 2-weeks after I finalized my divorce, which the small firm was aware of, and a great annual review when I was laid off after 13-years of excellent service. I was told "It wasn't personal, it was business". I miss the paycheck, but I can't say the same for management. Once deemed a flunkie, it is difficult to walk with your head held high, and unfortunately, requires herculaneum efforts to break the pattern. Great piece.

Cynthia Calhoun

6 years agofrom Western NC

I like this style of writing you have! I worked six days at a job one time when the boss came to me and said, I don't know what all you'll need, but go have a look-see at the bathroom and go clean it. I won't tell you the awful nightmares I discovered...and then I quit that job. Ha! Thanks for the memories and fun, Kenneth. :)

Joyce Haragsim

6 years agofrom Southern Nevada

Well darn me, you wouldn't get me cleaning the mens room for minal pay, I know my temper would rankle is it did while reading. I would probably ending up saying so stuff yourself or something like that.

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

This is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)

Google AdSense Host API

This service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

This is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Facebook Login

You can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Maven

This supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)

We may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.

Conversion Tracking Pixels

We may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.

Statistics

Author Google Analytics

This is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)

Comscore

ComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)

Amazon Tracking Pixel

Some articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)